DETROIT — So much of Justin Verlander’s season has reminded everyone — including him — of his 2008 season.

Tuesday’s start resembled more the 2010 season: An early struggle, then turning on pitch conservation mode.

After a 44-pitch first inning — his highest pitch total of any inning this season — Verlander had to struggle through five innings (and pouring rain), leaving the game with the Tigers trailing the Oakland A’s, 5-3.

They’d go on to lose 6-3 in a game that was delayed 1:21 before being called for rain in the top of the sixth inning.

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Detroit (77-55) will have to win the final two games of the series to earn a split.

In most years of his big-league career, that’s not a place the Tigers find themselves after the start of the guy who’d been their ace.

But they’re just 13-15 in games started by Verlander, who fell to 12-10. It’s just his second season with double-digit losses (he had a MLB-high 17 in 2008).

Even he admitted after his last start that it had been a frustrating season.

“Well, I think he’s — I’m always reluctant to say too much about it, because we don’t always agree on everything. I have my own philosophy. All I think Justin Verlander needs to do is use his stuff, and pitch with that arrogance that made him the great pitcher that he is,” manager Jim Leyland said Monday.

“I think sometimes, you just overthink the process. I think, in my opinion, he just needs to get it back to simplicity. I think that would be the best tonic. That’s just my opinion. I’m not saying I’m right. It’s my opinion.

“He’s a great pitcher, with great stuff, and that’s all he has to do, in my opinion.

“How you ever count it, or figure it out, you can sit there until the cows come home, but two and two is four.”

Things certainly added up quickly for Verlander again.

Like they had with Anibal Sanchez a night earlier, the A’s jumped on Verlander right out of the gate. He threw 20 pitches before recording an out, giving up two runs on Jed Lowrie’s double that plunked down just inside the right-field line.

He’d turn it around, needing just 40 pitches over the next three innings.

A’s starter Tommy Milone struggled just as much to start, giving that early 2-0 lead away in the span of four batters, walking two along with a single to load the bases, then allowing Prince Fielder to drive in two with a single. The third run scored on an error by second baseman Alberto Callaspo.

Oakland tied the game at 3-3 on Yoenis Cespedes’ two-out RBI double in the third, then took the lead, 5-3, on Brandon Moss’ two-out, two-run, opposite-field home run.

Verlander would be at 104 pitches after five innings, and done for the night.

He hadn’t done anything to disprove what his manager had been saying, either.

“I think it’s true, and I’m not backing off. It’s not like I’m trying to pump him up, and it’s certainly no criticism. But sometimes I just think it’s better to keep it simple,” Leyland said.

“I’m one of those people that, every time you don’t get a hit, doesn’t mean you didn’t swing good. Every time you didn’t get somebody out doesn’t mean you didn’t pitch good. Just go out there and be yourself. You’re a stuff guy. Take your stuff out there and compete like you have for whatever, that’s made you the best pitcher in baseball for the last several years, and just keep it simple.

“Just what I think.

“Sometimes I think people — and I’m not singling out Verlander’s situation, I’m using it in general — sometimes I think people create a problem when there’s not a problem. That’s what I think. It’s just my opinion.”

Bruce Rondon gave up a solo home run to Seth Smith on the second pitch he threw, after relieving Verlander to start the sixth inning. The A’s would load the bases before play was suspended at 9:15 p.m.

Matthew B. Mowery covers the Tigers for Digital First Media. Read his “Out of Left Field” blog at opoutofleftfield.blogspot.com.